Caroline and Sandra Holland see new finance service

ADVICE FOR ALL: left to right Marisa Graziano, Director of CWDT, Mike Bailey, Project Manager for the service, Caroline Flint, Cllr Sandra Holland and Sue Davison promoting the new service. Mike and Sue are part of the Financial Inclusion Team.

A Government funded programme to help people manage their finances, reduce debt and access bank accounts, has been welcomed by Labour’s Caroline Flint.

Ms Flint spent time with experts from the Doncaster West Development Trust who explained the important role the advice service plays across Doncaster.

Said Ms Flint: “This is a very important service, working across the Borough. It is essential that people faced with mounting debt or the threats of loan sharks are able to turn to experts for help.

“This project has already offered advice to over 1,200 people, given financial training to another 500; and negotiated with creditors for over 200 more.

“There are people who have got involved with dodgy money lenders, by borrowing money off a guy in the pub and have lived to regret it. And there are legal doorstep lenders charging over 1,000% per annum. That’s why I hope the Government will set a maximum interest rate and why schemes of this kind are very important.”

The service offers free advice to all residents including budgeting, debt advice, access bank and savings accounts and affordable credit and insurance products.

To find out more about the Financial Inclusion service, contact the Doncaster West Development Trust on 01709 868880 or email fi@dwdt.org.uk